The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball team (7-5-1) split its double header
against Henderson State University’s junior varsity team Wednesday, claiming a 12-11
victory in the opener, and a 10-7 win in the finale.
Despite taking a big lead through the first three innings, NPC had to fight to the
finish line to take care of the Reddies in game one. Freshman shortstop Que Walton
(Atlanta, Georgia) sparked NPC’s electric first inning with an RBI single, followed
by a bases-loaded walk from sophomore designated hitter Jimbo Batchelor (Senoia, Georgia).
Later in the inning, sophomore left fielder Pedro Martinez (Cleburne, Texas) smacked
a two-run single, followed by RBI singles from sophomore first baseman Slayter Watkins
(Huntsville) and freshman second baseman Ryan McClure (Double Oak, Texas) to put the
Nighthawks in front, 6-0.
National Park College added four runs in the top of the second inning on RBI doubles
from Walton and Batchelor, followed by an RBI single from Martinez and a bases-loaded
walk from McClure. In the third inning, Batchelor delivered an RBI double to push
NPC’s lead to 11-0.
Henderson State University did not go away quietly, however. Plating three runs in
the bottom of the third inning and five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, the
Reddies sparked a comeback, pulling within three runs, 11-8.
A fifth inning RBI sacrifice fly from Walton proved to be the difference maker for
NPC, as the Nighthawks held off a late Henderson State University rally to take a
one-run victory.
Freshman pitcher Bryan Raitz allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts over
three innings in the start for NPC. Freshman reliever Arthur Perez (Houston, Texas)
recorded the final two outs for the save. Batchelor, Martinez, McClure, Walton and
freshman third baseman Josh Lumsden (Denton, Texas) finished with two hits apiece
in the win.
NPC’s bats remained hot in the finale, as the Nighthawks outlasted the Reddies in
a back-and-forth battle for the series sweep. In the first inning, a bases-loaded
walk from Watkins and an RBI single from freshman right fielder Dylan Garcia (Rockwall,
Texas) gave National Park College the early lead, 2-0. After the Reddies tied the
game in the bottom of the inning, Lumsden answered with a three-run home run in the
second inning to regain the lead for NPC. Henderson State University struck again
in the bottom of the second inning, plating four runs to take the lead.
The Nighthawks pushed ahead with four more runs in the third inning. Sophomore center
fielder Hunter Guill (Bentonville) started the scoring with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch,
followed by an RBI sacrifice fly from Lumsden and a two-run double from Batchelor.
NPC would not trail again in the contest, plating its 10th and final run on a bases-loaded
hit-by-pitch on McClure in the sixth inning.
Freshman pitcher Trace Loeding (St. Cloud, Florida) got the start for NPC, allowing
six runs on two hits with two strikeouts over one and two-thirds innings. Sophomore
hurler Carter Gaston (Homer, Louisiana) earned the win in relief, allowing one run
on two hits with six strikeouts over five and one-third innings. Batchelor and Lumsden
led NPC at the plate, finishing with two hits apiece in the win.
NPC travels to Dallas College-Brookhaven in a double header Friday, February 23, beginning
at 12 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
